Personal bests, Britain in gold and a first championship appearance at the age of 59: today’s key stories from the European Dressage Championships

The first day of competition is complete at the European Dressage Championships at Hagen, in Germany, and it proved to be a very exciting day of competition. Great Britain is holding gold at this halfway stage in the team competition, and there were plenty of heart-warming stories elsewhere too.

European Dressage Championships: day one news and results

Britain’s Lottie Fry produced a super grand prix test to put Britain into the gold medal position at the halfway point

• Find out how Lottie’s performance put Britain in such a strong position

Gareth Hughes, the first of Britain’s riders to compete today (7 September), showed why Sintano van Hof Olympia is such an exciting prospect.

• Read Gareth’s thoughts on his team test

Gold medal favourites, Germany, got their campaign underway, but their first two riders couldn’t quite manage to put them in top spot at this stage

• Find out about Germany’s efforts on day one

H&H’s rider of the day was a 27-year-old who has rocketed to the top echelons of the sport

• Hear what our rider of the day had to say about her test on a former British team horse

The sole Irish rider on day one of competition was delighted to be competing and she put in a sterling effort

• Find out more about what this 59-year-old championship debutante had to say about her performance

A buckskin Lusitano also impressed on his championship debut, having only starting competing recently

• Find out what his rider said about him and why “fate” intervened to bring them together

Plan your viewing with when the key riders on day two of competition will ride tomorrow to decide the team medals

• Get all the start list information for day two

You may also be interested in…

Tales from Hagen Europeans: Meet the buckskin dressage horse who only started competing this year

Britain in gold at the halfway stage with Carl and Charlotte yet to ride – find out when the European dressage medals will be decided

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Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.